The police constable believed he had deleted the files, but they were recovered by police computer experts following a raid on his home in Lamorna Avenue, in Gravesend.

Married Thompson had been under investigation over alleged sales of Met Police vests on the internet auction site eBay.

Judge James Gledhill, QC, gave Thompson a 12 month community order and told him to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, after he admitted making indecent images of children. He must also pay £800 costs and was placed him on the sexual offenders' register for five years.

Thompson admitted seven counts of making indecent images of children.

He denied two counts of downloading more serious level two and three images and they were allowed to lie on the court file.